Customer Reviews

Blue Flame

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Shalvis has penned a very fine story indeed. This is a story about having what you think you want...but realizing you're not even close to the mark. It's also a story about forgiving and the sweet reward that can be found after.

Calli Hayes runs a dude ranch in Arizona. She has been working hard to make it a sucess with the dream and hope of eventually buying it from its rather absent land owner. This dream is shot down though once absent landowner shows up. Firefighter Jake Rawlins is there to recuperate after a nasty accident he sustained while fighting a fire. Callie can't forget the first time they met and the explosive attraction that surrounded them. She wants to stay immune to him but she can't fight the feelings he brings out.

Jake Rawlins is an injured fireman with no where to go, no one to care, and little options. He finally decides to go to "Blue Flame" in order to heal from his wounds. Immediatly things start to go wrong. He has to fight an attraction to the sassy Callie, face the insecurity that he many never fight fire again due to his injury, and try to fit in where he doesn't belong. On top of that...someone is out to destroy the Blue Flame. Little things soon become overwhelming big things that could undermine the success of the dude ranch and no one is above suspicion. Who is trying to harm Callie and the ranch...and why?

Jake and Callie were fun characters. There relationship is not a smooth one but fun to read as a result. Ms. Shalvis has created a wonderful world filled with many interesting characters. The secondary storyline between Amy and Jake's brother Tucker is sweet and entertaining. This is one author that I plan on reading again in the future.

Official Reviewer for (...)

San Diego County firefighter Jake Rawlins knows he and a teenager are trapped on the mansion's roof with an inferno about to engulf them. Jake rescues Billy, but he crushes his shoulder and has a concussion while Billy and his mom sue the county, the department, and Jake for excessive force. With reporters bugging him while on sick leave, Jake flees to the Blue Flame guest ranch in Nowhere, Arizona that he in inherited from his estranged father.

Ranch manager Callie Anne Hayes loves the Blue Flame and hopes to buy it from Jake, who hates the place. They met at his dad's funeral when she grieved and he seethed; they made love but she ended it when she realized he detested while she loved his dad.

Jake arrives and informs Callie that he will stay for a few months. She moves him into his half brother's cabin, who hates him for deserting him when the lad was five years old. Meanwhile someone is causing trouble for Callie and the ranch. As Jake feels lonely yet protective of Callie, they begin to fall in love, but the danger to her, the hands, the guests, and the animals mount from an unknown assailant who wants the place to fail.

Readers will feel heat from the attraction between the lead couple and enjoy the teen story between Tucker and an abused teen. The ranch support cast comes across as individual misfits who collectively add warmth to the tale. Though the villain is obvious in spite of his background and the troubled individuals at the ranch, fans will enjoy this fine romantic suspense starring two likable protagonists.

Harriet Klausner

I'm a huge fan of J. Shalvis books. I love how realistic the romances are between the hero and heroine. Blue Flame was an excellent read. Jake is a firefighter who gets injured on the job. He decides to get away from it all by going to the ranch (Blue Flame) that he inherited from his father. The manager of the ranch (the heroine) doesn't want Jake coming there because she is afraid that he will sell the ranch. She has been saving up money to buy the ranch for some time. Plus, Jake and her had a previous encounter that she can't forget. When he goes to the ranch, things quickly heat up between the both of them again. The only problem is bad things start happening at the ranch at the same time that Jake shows up. Blue Flame is a wonderful read. I especially like how in her books she has interesting secondary characters that I like to read about as well. This book is more like 4 1/2 stars!!!!

At first I was hesitant to read this novel because the lead male is a firefighter and it's like---sigh--know WHERE this is going.
But I was wrong! This is a well grounded story about what happens when a serious injury permanently changes not only the direction of your life but your complete identity. When the male lead is injured in an heroic rescue attempt, he is forced to come to terms with the end of one career--and nowhere else to go. Like many men, his job and identity are totally linked. He retreats to a dude ranch in Arizona, left to him by his estranged, deceased father and run profitably by a female ranch manager and her crew of outsiders. These people have linked together to form a kind of family and the male lead's presence--and disability--makes him just another hindrance to busy people.
The writing style is smart and has an edge to it that is refreshing. Sometimes we don't bounce back whole, but must adapt to a new challenge--becoming stong at the broken places.
Well developed characters, beautiful setting, meaningful sensuality--this book could work not just for us ladies but could speak to anyone at a changepoint in their lives.

Blue Flame by Jill Shalvis makes the worlds of firefighting and ranch life come alive.

Jake Rawlins needs to hide from the press after his recent firefighting rescue. He decides to spend some time at the ranch Blue Flame that his late father left to him. But the ranch isn't the quite place he thought it would be since he can't get thoughts of his ranch manager Callie out of his mind.

Callie Hayes has made a place for herself at Blue Flame. With the owner seldom showing up she had free reign. Now Jake has come back to stay for a few months, upsetting her routine and peace of mind. Jake and Callie shared one night of passion a few years ago that Callie thought was behind them. But with seeing each other daily the sparks start to fly.

Blue Flame is a fast paced story that keeps you in its gripe till the last page. The chemistry sizzles and the dialogue will keep you laughing. This story will touch your heart and stay with you long after its over.

What an amazing book! There's not enough room here to post my entire review from my website, but here's my last several paragraphs:

Jake, in the meantime, wants Callie so badly it hurts. Therefore, BLUE FLAME is filled with tension - between Jake and Callie, Jake and Tucker, and the staff and the new cook, Amy - and is only exacerbated by the apparent sabotage and danger suddenly present to Callie.

Callie and Jake have a connection so acute, that it nearly burns through the pages. So, while Callie's trying to fight her feelings for Jake, he is realizing that he'll never go back to firefighting. The pain in his heart breaks Callie's heart, and the reader will feel the pain as well. This is one of the elements that really makes BLUE FLAME work - Callie's compassion. Despite this sadness, it is very exciting to watch Jake take on new things daily, even though he is still in a lot of pain. There are also enigmatic employees, some with deep-rooted problems, but with Callie's special touch, she's made them all a family. Yet the mystery remains - who's sabotaging the BLUE FLAME?

BLUE FLAME is an adventurous book in a very different way, but an adventure nonetheless. Part of the adventure is the various groups that are paying guests at the BLUE FLAME and the activities planned for them, while Jake struggles to fit in. The other part of this being an adventure, is trying to discover who is trying to hurt the ranch, including Callie.

Ms. Shalvis has written her characters remarkably well and watching them evolve draws the reader right into the story. The reader feels the pain, the joys, and the sadness of all the characters - not just Jake and Callie, but also the other members of the staff, and the troubles they are facing. This character-driven book still has a very strong plot and is an engaging read from beginning to end. I am very eager for the next book in this exciting series, as I'm positive Ms. Shalvis will continue to create compelling characters in a story that deeply hits the heart of the reader.

Robin Taylor
www.sizzlingromances.com
December 2004 issue

Jake Rawlins is a terrific hero, wounded, sexy as hell, and clueless about love. Until it hits him between the eyes. Couldn't put it down; fast, fun, hot and suspenseful. Don't miss it.

This was a great book. The underline mystery story was a bit weak (and predictable!), but everything else was so good it really made up for it. This book is different than what Jill Shalvis publishes today. Her more recent novels are lighter romantic comedies - and they are all great too. Blue Flame has a gritty realism that makes you believe these people are real. There is a lot of depth to this story. It's also very sensual and packed with great chemistry between the hero/heroine. It is a "feel good" book that I highly recommend.